The Ultimate Klone Pedal Shootout: 14 Pedals Compared

Since Bill Finnegan set loose upon the world his original Klon Centaur overdrive pedal back in 1994, it’s become the grail of pedals for countless guitarists and collectors, obtaining an ultra-rare status that sees the handbuilt originals fetch as much as $10,000 today! Fortunately, you don’t have to pony up the equivalent of a modest used car just to tap into its iconic, full-bodied growl and soaring, versatile tones. While many Klon clones abound, are all Klones created equal? Don Carr gets to the bottom of things with ultimate Klone pedal shootout: a 14-Klone face-off to determine how well these pedals capture the vaunted Klon sound. Check it out!

#Sweetwater #Klon #Klone #Pedal #Shootout

[Kurjistaja]

3:42 & 3:58 Warm Audio Centavo
4:12 & 4:30 J. Rockett Audio Designs Archer
4:43 & 5:00 Origin Effects Halcyon
5:13 & 5:30 Electro-Harmonix Soul Food
5:43 & 6:00 TC Electronic Zeus
6:13 & 6:30 Wampler Tumnus
6:43 & 7:00 Walrus Audio Voyager
7:14 & 7:30 Way Huge Conspiracy Theory
7:45 & 8:01 Keeley OxBlood
8:15 & 8:31 PRS Guitars Horsemeat
8:45 & 9:01 Jackson Audio Optimist
9:15 & 9:31 MXR Sugar Drive
9:45 & 10:02 Boss OD-200
10:16 & 10:32 Source Audio L.A Lady
10:46 & 11:02 Line 6 HX Stomp

[OriginEffectsUK]

Thanks for checking the pedal out!

If anyone has any questions, feel free to shoot them our way here where we'll answer what we can.

[MK-tjbf]

Wow. That’s been a huge work done to make this video. Thanks!

[ShawnTubbs]

The Rockett Pedals Archer will always be my "go-to" Silver Klon Clone. That being said, I'm very impressed with the Origin Halcyon for being such an innovative approach to a Klon circuit.

[timndel]

I chose the Wampler Tumnus for great tone, ease of use, small footprint, and it's always on...

[AnniottOfficial]

I have the Tumnus myself - great little pedal. All the pedals sounded pretty good and I expect even more similar to each other in a mix.

[koolkathawaii]

Mini Tumnus is my favorite pedal except maybe my Nordvang Gravity. I use the Tumnus as a overdrive but I have one as an "Always On" with a just a touch of rive on.

[gilguajardo]

You must have had the HX Stomp’s volume knob set to affect the output volume. It was much lower volume than the others.

[varyagace]

From a different video comparison, I already thought that the Tumnus sounds almost EXACTLY identical to a Klon. And I still think it was my favorite out of the bunch, not only for that but also for it's cost.

[mesaseany]

I ended up going with the Warm Audio Centavo and absolutely love it. Read so many reviews comparing it to others and every video I watched made me want it more and more. I am shocked at how much of transparent boost you can use it for. Using it with a Diezel VH4 and VHX. Really great poedal

[GraphiteandCigars]

I have the Tumnus Deluxe, great pedal and so versatile. Lately I have been leaving it on and just using a touch of delay. Love it.

[thedoyleharcavy]

I’ve never had a desire for the Klon sound but if I did I’d go with the oxblood. I’m a big Keeley user already and love their take on classic drive circuits.

[glenn]

the warm audio and the way huge are great, ... the zues is really good too, the wampner tumnus is really good too

[JasonsGuitarJams]

They all sound great! Excellent video! I really enjoy my EHX Soul Food.

[jesperjacobsen]

First thing: They all sound good to me.

Second thing: They sound incredibly similar. It's good to have something to choose between both in terms of design, features and price, but I'm left with the feeling that you could tweak your way out of any audible differences if you put in the time. They all sound like a Klon.

I'd bet the variation between these pedals (when set to sound as similar as possible) isn't much bigger than between two actual Klons that have aged 20 years or more.

Obviously there's a volume difference with the HX Stomp, so kinda hard to judge that.

[Stratisfied]

I have a RYRA Klone and it's fantastic and a part for part copy but the truth is almost every Klone style pedal sounds good and you don't need to spend too much to get the Klon experience.

[CaptainJack]

The first pedal I ever bought was an EHX Soul Food, before I had even heard of the Klon. Still one of my favorite drive pedals.

[dwebs]

Had a Soul Food it served its purpose, got a Tumnis and liked it a lot. Went in part of a trade for a Strymon. Picked up the TC Zeus. Still have it and fills that Klon spot on my board just fine especially for the price.

[stuminnis]

I guess I’m just not a connoisseur, because these all sound pretty much identical to me, except that the LA Lady was dark and the Stomp was thin, and both of those can be tweaked with EQ.

In fact, they’re all so close that if I were choosing between these, my deciding factors would be a combination of noise level, price, build quality, and (if I’m being honest with myself) aesthetics.

[prstito]

Man, I remember when every church guitarist had a voyager on their boards. Makes so much sense now. I never knew it was a klon isnpired pedal! Love my Archer and Centura pedals. Can't wait to try the halcyon! Got the tube screamer one and it's wild. Cheers to you guys for doing awesome reviews and having awesome products available.